Page 241 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MA8KAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 19004001. 89

Part V.—-REPORT ON THE TRADE AND COMMERCE OP MOHAM-
MERAH AND THE KARUN RIVER POR TUE YEAR 1900.
Owing to the continued embargo on the export of grain and consequent Gonoral.
!aok of cash among the growers, there was little increase in local trade,
especially on the Karun, and at Bandar Nosri, which promised to become
a flourishing centre of retail trade, many of the shops have been closed. The
increase shown in the annexed tables is duo to larger imports for shipment to
Koweit, to the rise in prices especially of cotton goods, to the opening of the
Ahwaz-Ispahan road, and to Mohammerah becoming more and more a centre
for supplying othor districts.
Exchange ranged from 52 to 5JLJ Krans to the £1 atorling. The accom- Exchange,
panying statistics are calculated at 53 Krans to the £1 sterling.
Own.—The decrease in the export of insoluble gum is due to the demand Exports,
in London being poor with a falling market. The yield was unusually large.
Gum Tragacanth was exported for the first time, being brought from up-country
by the Ahwaz-Ispahan road.
Dates.—The returns give only the amount of dates exported by steamer or
by sailing craft under the British flag. In addition a large amount waa
exported by Arab sailing craft, of which more than usual was for the Red
Sea porta.
Dorses.—The increase in the export of horses is due to none being shipped
from Turkish ports.
Oilseed.—The crop of oil-seeds was small and prices high*
Opium.—Opium arrived from the Ahwaz-Ispahan road for shipment.
Wool.—The clip of wool was unusually good in quality and fairly heavy,
and owing to high prices in Europe during the early part of the year a larger
amount than usual was pressed at Bandar Nasri for export.
There was again a considerable increase in imports, Coffee and American imports,
piece-goods used for sails of Arab craft are nearly entirely for Koweit.
The principal demand in cotton goods and their prices were as follows:—

£ #. d. Kran«.
Grey shirting*, 8 lbs. ,0 0 2$ = 16} per piece.
Ditto, 9 lbs. . 0 0 9} = 18 „ *
Prints, soft Bnish .023 = 0* „
Tanjibs • . . 0 4. If = 11 * „
Printed jaconets . 0 2 7| = 7 * *
Lappets. . , 0 10 0J = 28 per dozen.
Imitation Turkey red . 0 10 2} = 27 per piece.
Ditto, Syrians . 0 0 9 = 2 ,, *
•
• pood#.-—There was an increased demand for these goods from
neighbouring dietricts, and the importers now usually sell to retail dealers
by the bale and not by the picoe as formerly. This trade is nearly entirely in
the hands of Jewish firms, importers from Manchester. The imports from India
are largely Manchester goods for Koweit.
Supa/v-There is again a large increase in loaf sugar, some of whioli
was forwarded for up-country by the Ahwnz-Ispahan road. The bulk* is
Marseilles beet sugar, which is preferred as being more soluble, but Egyptian
sugar is making its way, and thcro was a small consignment of Belgian sugar.
st.cam®r® with oargo from and eight took cargo for BhiPPln«
-I Xg sras “"'4 "8ul"17' “““